Film washer



July 14, 1964 R. L. MILLER 3,140,647

FILM WASHER Filed July 3, 1961 n 4'2 26 f2 f I W f I 361! 14 H 2 i Z a l i i 1 ll; i l 9 32 i a I 1 1 42 6 149$ 22 T [6" 12 20 Jaye/323]:

United States Patent 3,140,647 FILM WASHER Roy L. Miller, 9337 S. Ada St., Chicago 20, Ill. Filed July 3, 1961, Ser. No. 121,640 2 Claims. (Cl. 95-93) This invention relates to a washer for photographic film and more particularly to a washer especially suited for washing roll film.

It is well known in the photographic processing art that after film has been developed it must be washed thoroughly in order to remove all traces of the chemicals used in the hypo or fixer.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved washer for photographic film.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved washer for photographic film which is particularly suitable for use with roll type filmv It is still another object of the invention to provide a Washer for photographic film which has an improved washing action as compared to film washing devices of the prior art due to the use of a new and difierent water flow system in the film washer.

In achievement of these objectives, there is provided in accordance with this invention a washer for roll film comprising a cylindrical tank secured to a base member, the continuously flowing wash water being directed upwardly through the base and into the lower end of the tank through inlet passages which communicate with an inlet duct in the base. The film to be washed is mounted within the tank on a reel assembly formed of steel rod or the like which radially spaces successive convolutions of the roll film from each other.

In accordance with an important feature of the construction, the inlet passages which direct wash water into the interior of the wash tank are located adjacent opposite ends of the inlet duct in the base and are inclined upwardly in opposite directions from the inlet duct to the right and to the left, respectively, of the axis of the inlet duct. The upwardly inclined inlet passages are so located in the base that the water impinges against the film on the reel on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of the reel to produce a torque or turning moment on the reel which causes the reel to rotate, the film rotating with the reel, thereby producing an improved washing action compared to film washers of the prior art.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the film washer of the invention connected for operation in a sink or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a view in vertical section of the film washer of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view in vertical section taken along line 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a view in horizontal section taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawing, there is shown a film washer generally indicated at comprising a base member 12 which is adapted to rest on the bottom of a sink or the like, such as the sink S shown in FIGURE 1. Washer 10 includes a tank 14 which is preferably in the form of a vertically positioned cylinder whose lower end is secured in a circular groove in the upper surface of base 12. The base 12 and cylinder 14 of washer 10 are preferably made of a suitable plastic material which is not corroded by the chemicals used in the hypo or fixing soltuion which is to be removed by the washer.

Wash water is admitted to the interior of wash tank 14 through an inlet fitting 16 connected to an inlet duct generally indicated at 18. Inlet duct 18 includes a large 3,140,647 Patented July 14, 1964 ice diameter portion 18a adjacent the inlet fitting 16, and a small diameter portion 18b. The duct portions 18a and 18b are in fluid communication with each other and lie along a horizontal axis which substantially coincides with a diameter of cylindrical tank 14. A hose 20 is attached to the inlet fitting 16 for conducting water into the interior of wash tank 14, the opposite end of hose 20 being connected to a faucet above sink S.

In accordance with an important feature of the invention, the water flow from the inlet duct 18 is conducted into the interior of wash tank 14 by means of an inlet passage 22 which extends upwardly at an inclination from inlet duct portion 180 and in a direction to the right of the longitudinal axis of duct 18, with respect to the view shown in FIGURE 4, and by means of a similar inclined inlet passage 24 which extends from the inner end of duct portion 18b upwardly through the base, the inlet passage 24 extending to the left of the axis of duct 18 with respect to the view shown in FIGURE 4 of the drawing. In the embodiment shown, passages 22 and 24 are inclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal and vertical planes.

By positioning inlet passages 22 and 24 respectively adjacent opposite ends of the axis of duct 18 and respectively directed to the right and to the left of the axis of the duct 18, the water flowing through the inlet passages 22 and 24 into the interior of tank 14 impinges against the film on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of reel assembly 26, causing rotation of the reel assembly 26 and of the film thereon, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

The film F being washed is supported within tank 14 by a reel assembly generally indicated at 26 preferably formed of small diameter stainless steel rod, but which could be formed of other suitable material. The reel assembly 26 is coaxial with cylinder 14 but is of somewhat smaller diameter. Since inlet duct 18 in base 12 lies along a diameter of cylinder 14, it also lies along a diameter of reel assembly 26, and inlet passages 22 and 24 extend to the right and to the left of the diameter of reel assembly 26 on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of the reel assembly, the water discharging from inlet passages 22 and 24 adjacent or between several of the inner turns of the film roll on lower reel 28.

In the illustrated embodiment, a double-decker reel assembly is provided which can support two rolls of film for simultaneous washing. Thus, reel assembly 26 includes a lower reel 28 and an upper reel 30. Lower reel 28 includes a lower end 32 and an upper end 34, each respectively formed of a plurality of radially-spaced spirally-wound turns of steel rod. Similarly, upper reel 30 includes a lower end 36 and an upper end 38, also each formed of a plurality of radially-spaced spirally-wound turns of steel rod. The lower end upper reels 28 and 30 are secured to each other in a unitary assembly by vertical metal rods 40 which are secured by welding or the like to the upper and lower ends of both of the reels. Each of the rods 40 is bent at substantially degrees at each of its opposite ends to provide horizontal upper and lower end portions 42 which respectively liebeneath the lower end 32 of lower reel 28, between the upper end 34 of lower reel 28 and the lower end 36 of upper reel 30, and above the upper end 38 of upper reel 30. The horizontal end portions 42 of rods 40 are suitably attached as by welding to the ends of the reels.

The radial spacing between the successive spiral turns of the metal rod forming each of the reel ends 32, 34, 36, 38 provide a plurality of spirally-extending channels at the upper and lower end of each reel into which the successive spirally-wound turns of a roll of film may be received. The horizontal end portions 42 of the rods 40 which lie below the lower end of each reel and above the upper end of each reel serve as stops which retain the film on the respective reels, and prevent the film from slipping through the space between successive spiral turns of the metal rod forming the respective ends of the reels.

In using the film washer of the invention, the reel assembly 26 with roll film F positioned on one or both of the reels 28 and 30, is removed from the developing tank (not shown) and is inserted into the cylinder 14. Water is then admitted to the base 12 through inlet fitting 16, the water passing through inlet duct 18-, and being discharged into the lower end'of cylinder 14 through inclined inlet passages 22 and 24.

The upwardly and radially outward direction of inclination of the inlet passages 22 and 24 and the location of passages 24 adjacent opposite ends of inlet duct 18 and on opposite sides of the axis of duct 18, namely, to the right and left of the axis of duct 18 and on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of reel assembly 26, causes the water from passages 22 and 24 to impinge against the film F on reel assembly 26 in such manner as to produce a torque or turning moment on the reel which causes the reel assembly to rotate, the film rolls moving with the rotating reel assembly.

The water from passages 22 and 24 passes upwardly through the cylinder 14, passing through the space between successive spiral turns of the film and in the spaces radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the film roll or rolls. After reaching the upper end of the water tank, the water overflows the top of the tank and passes down into the drain of the sink. In passing through the tank, the wash water comes into intimate contact with all surfaces of the film and thoroughly washes the film, removing all traces of the chemicals used in the prior development step. The rotation of the reel and the film due to the inclination and location of the inlet passages 22 and 24 contributes substantially to the washing action.

It can be seen from the foregoing that there is provided in accordance with this invention an improved film washer which has advantages not obtainable with film washers of the prior art, and which utilizes a difierent type of water flow system than that used in prior art film washers.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein and, therefore, it is aimed to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A washer for photographic roll film comprising a tank, a reel for supporting roll film in said tank with the convolutions of said film radially spaced from each other with respect to the vertical axis of said reel, first and second water inlet passages inclined upwardly and radially outwardly for admitting wash water to the lower end of said tank, said first and second water inlet passages being respectively located on opposite sides of the vertical axis of said reel' and being directed in opposite directions away from the diameter of said reel, whereby water entering said tank through said passages is directed against said film and the spiral convolutions thereof and therefore produces a turning moment on said reel to cause said reel and the film carried thereby to revolve about the vertical axis of said reel,

2. A washer for photographic rollfilm, comprising a base member, a tank mounted on said base member, a rotatable reel for supporting roll film in said tank with the convolutions of said film radially spaced from each other with respect to the vertical axis of said reel, an inlet duct lying in said base, means connecting said inlet duct to a source of water supply, first and second water inlet passages connected between said inlet duct and the lower end of said tank, said inlet passages being inclined upwardly and radially outwardly from said inlet duct to the lower end of said tank, said first and second water inlet passages being so positioned as to lie on opposite sides of the vertical axis of rotation of said reel and being directed in opposite directions away from the diameter of said reel, whereby two streams of Water entering said tank through said passages are directed against said film and therefore producing a turning moment on said reel to cause saidreel and the film carried thereby to revolve about the vertical axis of rotation of said reel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 607,677 Bierwirth July 19, 1898 2,308,519 Lane Jan. 19, 1943 2,315,572 Wilson Apr. 6, 1943 2,641,170 Hutchins June 9, 1953 

1. A WASHER FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC ROLL FILM COMPRISING A TANK, A REEL FOR SUPPORTING ROLL FILM IN SAID TANK WITH THE CONVOLUTIONS OF SAID FILM RADIALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER WITH RESPECT TO THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID REEL, FIRST AND SECOND WATER INLET PASSAGES INCLINED UPWARDLY AND RADIALLY OUTWARDLY FOR ADMITTING WASH WATER TO THE LOWER END OF SAID TANK, SAID FIRST AND SECOND WATER INLET PASSAGES BEING RESPECTIVELY LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID REEL AND BEING DIRECTED IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AWAY FROM THE DIAMETER OF SAID REEL, WHEREBY WATER ENTERING SAID TANK THROUGH SAID PASSAGES IS DIRECTED AGAINST SAID FILM AND THE SPIRAL CONVOLUTIONS THEREOF AND THEREFORE PRODUCES A TURNING MOMENT ON SAID REEL TO CAUSE SAID REEL AND THE FILM CARRIED THEREBY TO REVOLVE ABOUT THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID REEL. 